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By oly, wa from olympia on 10/07/2009 Pros: Ankle Support, Arch Support, Comfortable/No Break-In, Stiff, Sturdy/Durable Best Uses: Harsh Terrain, Heavy Loads, Long-Distance Hiking Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer Sizing: Feels true to size Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Great boots out of the box. I love them. Haven't tried them in wet conditions but they look like they will do just fine.
By Pee Wee from CHEMICAL VALLEY, ONT.CA. on 10/06/2009 Pros: Comfortable/No Break-In, Warm, Water Resistant Best Uses: Cold Weather, Day Hiking, Everyday, Wet Conditions Describe Yourself: Casual/Recreational Sizing: Feels half size too big Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Comfortable,light and no break in issues,feels a little on the large side, must be the Euro sizing!
If you liked the old REI Spirits..... By newtrout from Ellensburg, WA on 10/05/2009 Pros: Comfortable/No Break-In, Sturdy/Durable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Day Hiking, Harsh Terrain, Long-Distance Hiking Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer Sizing: Feels true to size Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I was a huge fan of the original REI Spirit. The newer versions never fit the same, and now they've stopped making them altogether. The Raichle Mountain Crest seems to be the same boot as the second version of the REI Spirit. They are one of the few boots that I can wear right out of the box. They are extremely comfortable, fairly durable, and a 'do it all' boot for me. I've used them with crampons, on 20-mile day hikes, and trips with a 40 lb pack.
By The Hiking Geek from Zurich, Switzerland on 10/04/2009 Pros: Ankle Support, Arch Support, Great Traction, Sturdy/Durable, Warm, Water Resistant Cons: Difficult Laces, Long Break-in Best Uses: Cold Weather, Day Hiking, Harsh Terrain, Long-Distance Hiking, Wet Conditions Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer Sizing: Feels half size too small, Feels true to size Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: For those who claim that sizes are too small, NEVER buy hiking boots without trying them on first! And those that say that the soles are too rigid - duh! These are hiking boots for difficult terrain.
I bought these shoes in Switzerland for difficult hikes more than a year back, and after hundreds of kilometers through difficult terrain, including snow and rain, I am impressed! I bought them for more than twice the current listed price (and it was on sale then!), so I think it is a bargain as listed. It is completely waterproof (one can walk through water), has excellent ankle support, and great stability on rocky and steep terrain.
If your use is for standard terrain on paved/ well treated walkways, then go with a more flexible sole, but this shoe's soles are solid on tough terrain. It's a pity that many US stores don't stock Raichle any more - they make some of the best outdoor gear.
It does take time to break in (at least if you plan to go on a difficult hike). So make sure you wear it around town for a week or so. Just yesterday walked up and back almost 3000 feet on a super steep grade, and was amazed at how well these shoes behaved. The sole is guaranteed for 700 km! Get high quality hiking socks to go with it - they are necessary.
By la pedestrienne from Vermont on 10/04/2009 Pros: Ankle Support, Arch Support, Great Traction, Sturdy/Durable Cons: The fit is a bit narrow Best Uses: Day Hiking, Harsh Terrain, Heavy Loads, Light Loads, Long-Distance Hiking Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer, Environmentalist Sizing: Feels half size too small Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: This is a great price for extremely well-made boots. Opted for Raichles after trying out a pair of lowcut dayhikers and falling in love with the fit.
I bought these to replace my old Montrail Cristallo boots--also grey one-piece nubuck backpacking boots. My old boots were a womens' 8.5 and over the past year have started to feel too narrow, so I decided to switch to mens' sizes in hopes they might be roomier. These Raichles are cut almost identically to my old Montrails, with a nice snug heel. I would like a little more room in the toebox, but as they break in, it seems the width won't pose a problem.
These are not Gore Tex, so get some Nikwax waterproof them yourself--works better anyway, IMHO. The chunky Vibram soles are great, and the *external* arch support is nice for us supinators/underpronators. These may not work so well for folks with really high arches unless you add something along the lines of a Superfeet insole.
PS--These are on closeout because the company, Raichle, got bought by Mammut, another great Swiss gear company. So boots now made with the Mammut label are actually Raichle boots!
By A Fan of the shoes from Wisconsin on 10/04/2009 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Easy On/Off, Lightweight, Multi-Use, Secure Fit Describe Yourself: Recreational Watersporter Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I got these to hike in Costa Rica. When my entire body was soaked, my feet were dry and comfy.
Comfortable - Fashionable - Functional By Wilderness Lover from Poughkeepsie, NY on 10/04/2009 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: I walk a great deal Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I walk a great deal between school buildings. I've only worn these shoes one time, but received many compliments on the look of the shoe. I'm glad I took a chance. They're going to work out great.
By Annie from Kernville, CA on 10/01/2009 Pros: Comfortable, Great Traction, Stable Best Uses: Backcountry, Day hikes, Everyday Describe Yourself: Casual Adventurer Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: These boots were so comfortable they didn't require any break in period. I hiked the first time with them for 7 miles and had no problems. Haven't tried them in wet weather, yet.
By Suzy from Yukon Terr on 09/30/2009 Pros: Durable, Stable, Water Resistant Describe Yourself: Casual Adventurer Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Bought these boots to hike the Chilkoot Trail. With very little break in they were fabulous. Kept my feet dry and warm in fairly extreme conditions. Great traction.
By JavaBird from New York on 09/29/2009 Pros: Lightweight, Multi-Use Best Uses: Everyday/Practical Use, Walking Describe Yourself: Average Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend Comments: This shoe is oddly sized. I ordered my normal size (8.5) and the shoe was too narrow. The next size up (9) was both too wide and too long.
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